Saturday, June 30, 2018

Charleston SC Radio: Missing Personality Found Dead

The Charleston County SC Coroner's Office has identified the body found in a vehicle early Friday morning as that of a missing Lowcountry radio host and podcaster Richard Bachsmidt.

Aurthorities says there doesn't seem to be an signs of foul play, according to live5news.com.

Deputies found the 43-year-old in a car parked in a wooded area, Charleston County Sheriff's Capt. Roger Antonio said.

Bachschmidt was a former radio host of "Box in the Morning"on WCOO 105.5 FM The Bridge. He parted ways with the station in February 2018

He had last been seen on Tuesday and his roommate filed a missing person report with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office after he uncharacteristically missed several work meetings Wednesday and was not responding to phone calls or texts, according to an incident report.

His sister, Dawn Bachschmidt Hoskins, released a statement Friday morning on his passing:

"Our family is in shock and completely devastated. Richard was a such an incredible man with an infectious personality and a heart of gold. He will be missed terribly. The outpouring of love, prayers and support from the Charleston community is holding up our family and for that, we are forever grateful."

A celebration of life event is currently being planned for Sunday at Tradesman Brewing on King Street in Charleston. Details will be posted on the Box in the Morning Facebook page.

Bachschmidt's colleagues at 1055 The Bridge and LM Communications are in mourning as well. Station Operations Manager and Program Director Ken Carson released a statement that read in part:

"Richard was our brother and friend and our prayers are with his extended family throughout the Low Country. Box recently left his morning show at WCOO to pursue an Internet morning show based out of Charleston, SC. Richard joined the LM Communications family in August of 2012 and left in February of 2018."

LM Communications (1055 The Bridge and 98Rock) is working with musicians, promoters and friends throughout Charleston to organize a benefit to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention. Both on and off the air Richard openly discussed his own battles with depression. His candor empowered others to overcome the stigmas of this illness and ask for help.